Another cruise line pulls the plug on visits to Tracy Arm Fjord in 2026

Less than one month after Holland America Line initially canceled all visits to Tracy Arm Fjord in 2026, another cruise line is following suit. 

On April 7, 2026, Royal Caribbean notified passengers via email that all visits to the Tracy Arm Fjord have been canceled this year because of "ongoing navigation safety concerns." 

"Due to a recent landslide and ongoing navigation safety concerns, we’ll no longer be able to cruise through Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), Alaska. Instead, you’ll enjoy breathtaking scenic cruising through Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier," the email reads. 

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Cruise.Blog previously reported that Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line axed the fjord visits from their 2026 lineup. This impacted thousands of guests on over three dozen cruises. 

Virgin Voyages also joined the growing list of cruise lines skipping Tracy Arm Fjord over the weekend, with Royal Caribbean finally following suit and informing guests of the itinerary changes just weeks before the Alaska cruise season begins. 

Instead, passengers will now experience scenic cruising through Endicott Arm, whether on their cruise ship or during a lengthy excursion from Juneau. 

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Royal's email continues, "We apologize for the last-minute change caused by this unfortunate event – your safety is always our top priority."

Why are cruise lines canceling visits to Tracy Arm Fjord?

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On August 10, 2025, a landslide above the toe of the South Sawyer Glacier, about 80 miles south-southeast of Juneau, occurred. The landslide produced a tsunami, though no injuries or fatalities were reported, thankfully. 

Although this natural disaster happened nearly eight months ago, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey claim the area remains under observation, with continued rockfall and smaller-scale landslide events expected.

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

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Although the sudden itinerary changes are sure to be disappointing, sailing through Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier is one of the most memorable parts of any Alaskan cruise. The sights are unbelievable, and unlike anything you will see on a Bahamian or Caribbean getaway. 

Don't just take my word for it! While Tracy Arm Fjord is famous for its narrow passageways and twin Sawyer Glaciers, Endicott Arm is wider, giving you an impressive front-row view of the towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. 

"Endicott Arm is way more beautiful than the glacier. We saw seals on ice chunks, the most magnificent waterfalls (I’m talking hundreds of feet high), and the most breathtaking scenery I have ever seen," one person wrote on Reddit. 

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Another added, "For me, it was the most beautiful and memorable day of the entire trip. While we did not do [an] excursion, the ship navigated the ice in the water and went as far up the Endicott Arm as it safely could... While we were still quite a ways from the glacier, the entire experience was spectacular."